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  • Published on

    176. An Open Heart

    3 Layer 4:4 Be Present Heart Love Motion Open Rain Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Unison Sun Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching, song 1: 00:04:26
    Start time of teaching, song 2: 00:08:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16
    Lyrics:

    Original:
    I wanna let life touch me, 
    wanna let life move me deep, 
    Wanna let life stir me,
    from an ancient sleep. 

    May I laugh all my laughter, 
    may I cry all my tears, 
    may I love the rain as deeply as the sun when it clears. 

    Living my life with an open heart.

    Song 2:
    I'm gonna let life move me,
    I'm gonna let life stir me deep,
    I'm gonna let life wake me 
    from an ancient sleep.
    I'm gonna laugh all my laughter,
    I'm gonna cry all my tears.
    I'm gonna love the rain as deeply as
    the sun when it clears.
    Picture
    Song: An Open Heart/Gonna Let Life Move Me
    Music by: Scott Grace

    Notes: Learning songs in an oral tradition can be a little like playing telephone, as they take on a life of their own, responding to the people singing them, growing, evolving... I learned "Gonna Let Life Move Me" in a song circle, and loved it. Eventually, I wanted to share it with my Pocket Song singers. So I tried to find out who had written it, so I could ask their permission/blessing and send some financial exchange their way.... and it took a quite a bit of searching before I turned up Scott Grace (Kalechstein)'s original song. This one had shifted quite a bit, so I got in touch with Scott directly to ask how he felt about the changes... I quote his generous answer directly in the episode. Enjoy two songs this week, and see which one lands for you!

    Songwriter Info:
    WARNING:  Scott Grace, who has been described as a cross between John Denver, Robin Williams and Dr. Seuss, is wanted by the authorities for creating the peace, as well as defying the law of gravity with levity.
    Contact with Scott is likely to be hazardous to your misery, as he has provoked outbreaks of joy in four out of five laboratory humans. 
    It is alleged that Scott’s work has so threatened to cut into the sales of anti-depressants that pharmaceutical companies have offered him millions to retire. 
    Scott gives keynotes using a stolen identity, a.k.a. the Spiritual Dr. Seuss. His feel-good viruses on YouTube have infected over 2.5 million people with just four of his Seussian videos.
    Scott has been known to practice life coaching without a license, eluding the police by working over the phone, Zoom, or FaceTime. He fancies himself an intuitive, and smuggles wisdom and guidance over the border from beings he calls spirit guides, who are also not licensed, and who have allegedly not filed a tax return in several lifetimes.
    As a front, Scott does do various legal, above the board activities. He has written four books, his latest being Mindful Masculinity.
    Scott also has recorded nine CD’s (remember CD’s?) of his original music. He presents as an inspirational guest speaker and singer at churches, non-profits, schools, and corporate events. As an occasional stand-up comedian in the Bay Area, he has shared the stage with Dana Carvey and Robin Williams. 
    But don’t be fooled. His rampage of Song Portraits, custom-made personalized song-gifts that honor people for their birthdays, anniversaries, or for no reason at all, have been killing people softly with their song since 1987.
    Authorities would very much like your help in apprehending Scott. Try catching him on the web at https://www.scottsongs.com, or on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/skalechstein

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Scott for recording and/or performing permission. Scott says, "This song is my deepest prayer from my heart of hearts."

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching, song 1: 00:04:26
    Start time of teaching, song 2: 00:08:51
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16

    Links:
    Scott's website: https://www.scottsongs.com 
    Scott's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/skalechstein

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 3 layer or unison

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    175. One Foot/Lead with Love with guest Melanie DeMore

    2:2 3 Layer Determination Hope Journey Love Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Verse & Chorus Songwriter Conversation Uptempo
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:56
    Start time of reprise: 01:12:05
    Lyrics:

    Chorus: 
    You gotta put one foot in front of the other,
    and lead with love, put
    one foot in front of the other, and lead with love.
    (2x)

    Verses (call and echo)
    1. Don't give up hope,
    you're not alone!
    Don't you give up --
    keep moving on.

    2. Lift up your eyes,
    don't you despair!
    Look up ahead;
    the path is there.

    3. I know you're scared
    and I'm scared, too!
    But here I am
    right next to you.
    Picture
    Song: One Foot/Lead with Love
    Music by: Melanie DeMore

    Notes: Melanie DeMore both entrances and intimidates people -- she is direct, funny, a fabulous story-teller, and fierce and broad in her love. I have to apologize to listeners for the sound quality of this interview -- we had some microphone glitches on both sides that means despite the best sound studio wizardry I could come up with, there's some distortion, and it's not the usual quality of sound. But the quality of content -- where it counts -- is top-notch. Melanie shares One Foot/Lead with Love, including the story of what sparked its creation. She talks about her family, and how the wisdom and experiences of her parents shaped the way she approaches people who hold different world views. We talk about coyotes, kids, accolades, how she takes care of herself on tour as a "4-star, card-carrying introvert". She sends us out with a charge: “Here’s what you need to do, people out there: keep your head up. Keep your heart wide open. Remember to breathe, and keep doing the work. Sing on.”

    Songwriter Info: Melanie DeMore is a 3 time Grammy nominated singer/composer, choral conductor, music director, and vocal activist who believes in the power of voices raised together. In her presentations, DeMore beautifully brings her participants together through her music and commentary. DeMore facilitates vocal and stick-pounding workshops for professional choirs, and community groups as well as directing numerous choral organizations across the U.S, Canada, and beyond. She is a featured presenter of SpeakOut!-The Institute for Social and Cultural Change, the Master Teaching Artist for Music at UC Berkeley/CalPerformances; works with everyone from Baptists to Buddhists, and was a founding member of the Grammy-nominated ensemble Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. She is Music Director for Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks and will be touring with the company to South Africa. She is a charter member of Threshold Choir founded by Kate Munger, a mentor to the Jerusalem Youth Chorus and conducts song circles with an emphasis on the voice as a vessel for healing. In her own words: "A song can hold you up when there seems to be no ground beneath you."

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Melanie for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:56
    Start time of reprise: 01:12:05

    Links:
    Lady of Peace – written by Melanie for her mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Clq6DHpNA 
    Threshold Choir: https://thresholdchoir.org/ 
    Children’s Music Network: https://childrensmusic.org/ 
    Bessie Jones: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1BUnRZrkCS0NoTiXefkW6U 
    Ella Jenkins: https://ellajenkins.com/ 
    Oakland Youth Chorus: https://www.oigc.org/oyc 
    Obeah Opera (South African/Toronto) – about Tituba: https://obeahopera.com/ 
    All One Tribe collective album: https://open.spotify.com/album/1EEVSonqRIjEB0DapNIRs8 
    Melanie's GoFundMe for a home in Taos, NM: https://gofund.me/6be198cb 
    Taos pueblo – Tewa people: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tewa 
    Bebe & Cece Winans – gospel singers: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WNUkxJcJeliFx9KXWXMgs 
    John Lewis: https://civilrightstrail.com/experience/rep-john-lewis/ 
    Margaret Nes - visual artist: https://www.ventanafineart.com/margaret-nes 
    Something Moving by Mary Watkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3RTzI4-j64 
    Whirimako Black: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dzCFvKwiJQ4w9ViwLzs49 
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.demore/ 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butchyg3/ 
    Melanie's email: melaniedemore(at)earthlink.net

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, major, call & echo, chorus & verse, 3-part harmony on chorus

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  • Published on

    174. Standing Stone

    3 Layer Calm Friendship Grieve Love Mantra Safe Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:49
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:30
    Lyrics

    I will be your standing stone.
    I will stand by you.
    Picture
    Song: Standing Stone
    Music by: Melanie DeMore

    Notes: Melanie DeMore is a powerful community shaper and healer who brings warmth and creative delight to her work with people of all stripes. Standing Stone was my introduction to her songs, and like many people, I have a personal history with it. In 2019, I became a long-term sub in a middle school & high school for a beloved choral teacher who had left to tend to her dying sister. The kids were grieving and suspicious. I brought this song to them so we could make a video to send their teacher to support her. The recognition of their capacity to be a source of strength was a game changer; this song unified us. In next week's episode, Melanie talks about what supports her, what she learned from her family, and more. I hope you can join us.

    Songwriter Info: Melanie DeMore is a 3-time Grammy-nominated singer/composer, choral conductor, music director, and vocal activist who believes in the power of voices raised together. In her presentations, DeMore beautifully brings her participants together through her music and commentary. DeMore facilitates vocal and stick-pounding workshops for professional choirs, and community groups as well as directing numerous choral organizations across the U.S, Canada, and beyond. She is a featured presenter of SpeakOut!-The Institute for Social and Cultural Change, the Master Teaching Artist for Music at UC Berkeley/CalPerformances; works with everyone from Baptists to Buddhists, and was a founding member of the Grammy-nominated ensemble Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. She is Music Director for Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks and will be touring with the company to South Africa. She is a charter member of Threshold Choir founded by Kate Munger, a mentor to the Jerusalem Youth Chorus and conducts song circles with an emphasis on the voice as a vessel for healing. In her own words: “A song can hold you up when there seems to be no ground beneath you.”

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Melanie for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:49
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:30

    Links:
    Help Melanie find a place to call her own in Taos, New Mexico: https://gofund.me/6be198cb
    A great interview with Melanie about being a vocal activist: https://chorusamerica.org/article/%25E2%2580%259Ci-use-my-voice-weapon-mass-connection%25E2%2580%259D-interview-melanie-demore

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 3-part

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  • Published on

    173. Ribbon 5: Going

    Ribbon
    Picture
    Picture
    The Sunday after this episode is released, December 29th, 2024, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, there will be an online gathering of folk who use song to help navigate life -- and we'll sing through this Ribbon of Songs with live-looping! To learn more, click here, or sign up right now to join us!

    ​Lyrics     ​& Links to the original episodes for the songs in this ribbon.
    Picture
    3. Woyaya 
    Words & Music by Sol Amarifio (title in the Ga language of Ghana)
    ​Composed in 1971

    We are going, 
    heaven knows where we are going, 
    but we know within.

    And we will get there, 
    heaven knows how 
    we will get there, 
    but we know we will.

    It will be hard, we know, 
    and the road will be muddy and rough,
    But we'll get there, 
    heaven knows how 
    we will get there, 
    but we know we will.

    Wɔyaya, Wɔyaya, 
    Wɔyaya, Wɔyaya.
    Picture

    80. Go Dark
    Words from Wendell Berry
    Music ​by Kate Thomas

    To go in the dark with a light
    is to know the light.
    To know the dark, go dark; 
    go without sight,
    and find that the dark, too, 
    blooms and sings,
    And is traveled by dark feet, 
    and dark wings.
    Picture

    72. Unknown (Finding Home)
    Words & Music​ by Anni Zylstra

    ​Finding home
    in all that is unknown.
    Release
    ​what is gone.
    Picture

    143. Love Stays
    Words & Music by Laszlo Slomovits

    Change comes and goes, love stays.
    Change comes and goes, love stays.
    Life is filled with such mysterious ways.
    ​Change comes and goes, love stays.
    Picture
    29. Hope Lingers On
    Words & Music​ by Lissa Schneckenburger

    1. My mother, when love is gone (2x),
    in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.
    My father, when peace is gone (2x),
    in our darkest hour, hope lingers on.

    Chorus:
    I will not hate, and I will not fear;
    in our darkest hour, hope lingers here.

    2. My sister, when equality’s gone…
    My brother, with tolerance gone…
    ​
    3. My love, when honor is gone…
    My country, when justice is gone…
    Picture

    58. When We Are Gone
    Words & Music by ​Starhawk and Anne Hill

    When we are gone, they will remain:
    wind and rock, fire and rain.
    They will remain, when we return;
    the wind will blow and the fire will burn.
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  • Published on

    172. Don't Go Putting the World on Your Shoulders

    2:2 Friendship Hope Love Rest Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Verse & Chorus Tend Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:42
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:29
    Lyrics:

    1. Don't go putting the world on your shoulders (3x)
    You don't have to do this alone.

     Chorus:
     Alone (alone), alone (alone),
    You don't have to do this alone.
    Alone (alone), alone (alone),
    You don't have to do this alone.

    2. Come with me and we'll do this together...
    3. I'll cook dinner and you wash the dishes...
    4. Take a nap and come back tomorrow...
    Picture
    Song: Don't Go Putting the World on Your Shoulders
    Music by: Will Lawrence and Erin Bridges

    Notes: December in the north is such a great time for me to dig a little deeper -- finding mini-rests, sometimes even by taking an extra breath before I go do the next thing. I love that this song reminds me to lean on other people, too... to widen my base, to remember my connections. The irony of recording this (alone, in my basement!) was not lost on me!!! So I hope you sing extra vigorously along with me, and share this song widely -- I have been loving singing it with my Flow Singers this month, and we are really feeling that "take a nap" verse, I tell you!

    Songwriter Info: William Lawrence is an organizer and social movement strategist from Lansing, Michigan. He was a co-founder of Sunrise Movement. He is currently the Coordinator of the MI Rent Is Too Damn High coalition, fighting for rent control, tenants rights and social housing in the Great Lakes State. Erin Bridges was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where she now lives with her dog and queer family in a big turquoise house. Like many southerners, she grew up with a love for shared meals, music sung in fellowship, pies made from the garden, and a close relationship to earth. Erin's work is rooted in building a world where everyone can access these simple pleasures. In 2017, she co-founded Sunrise, a youth movement that launched the Green New Deal, and more recently launched Hollerin' Up, aiming to fund people-powered teams for the long haul.

    Sharing Info: Erin and Will are happy for this song to be shared far and wide, attributed to the two of them!

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:42
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:29

    Links:
    Sunrise Movement: https://www.sunrisemovement.org/about/
    Sunrise Movement songbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/120wccqh6jdV-Cb1gCZgxtuE7ELnYPUXL/view?usp=sharing which includes a beautiful acknowledgment of the complexity of oral songsharing without appropriation

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, major, verse & chorus

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  • Published on

    171. Gratitude with Family Singers

    4:4 Be Grateful Be Present Mantra Scale: Mixolydian Song Form: Harmonized Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:45
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:57

    Lyrics:

    In this moment, all I need to do
    is sink more deeply into gratitude.
    Picture
    Song: Gratitude
    Music by: Kate Munger

    Notes: Recording Kate Munger's song for you was SUCH a treat for me!!! 15 members of our extended family gathered in a living room, and sang together about sinking into gratitude.... mmmm-hmmmm!!! You'll hear 5-year-old Claire proclaiming she is right here, and then the beautiful gathered sound of Beth, Peter, Will, Elyse, Edward, Carolyn, Patrick, Ruth, Tom, Rebecca, Forrest, Kathi, Claire, Seth and me. One of the most beautiful things about the whole experience was that the song itself kept reminding me to be present -- to soak into the moment.

    Songwriter Info: Kate Munger has been passionate about community singing since she was 8 years old at Girl Scout Camp and has led community singing now for over 45 years. In 2000 she founded the first of now 200 Threshold Choirs around the world. Today at 74 she is retired from running the Threshold Choir and has returned to her passions of writing songs for medicinal use and singing at the bedsides of people who are dying, in coma and with folks who are incarcerated. She is a popular speaker among palliative care, choral singing and prison reform professionals and is a gracious, skillful musical host and choral director whose joy is reminding us that we are singing beings, bringing community singing back to "the community.” Kate knows that this work is deep and serious and she offers a fresh, lively, sometimes irreverent, always relevant perspective.

    Sharing Info: Kate encourages the sharing of this song and its message; any donation that is generous, affordable and personally significant would be most welcome.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:45
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:57

    Links:
    Kate welcomes emails to kateamunger@gmail.com

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, mixolydian, 3-part harmony

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